







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I live just opposite the pub. | |
| He is a plumber, dear, apparently it's clogged. | |
| Who knows, I consider it as nothing more than a hobby. | |
| Ah, I can't eat the breast, it's too dry for me! | |
| It doesn't matter, I think they are the same distance away. | |
| How are things going, is everything ok? | |
| Oh no! Are you sure you don't have anything available? | |
| I think Diego and I are the only smokers in the house. | |
| So I don't snore everyday... | |
| When I have free time. | |
| I don't think we need to pay for it. | |
| I have no idea what arborio rice is! | |
| I can't believe you still don't get it! | |
| What do you do? | |
| 360 degrees should be good. | |
| I haven't seen her, either, and I don't really want to... | |
| What's the reason for the cancellation this time? | |
| Are you going to say sorry for saying I am stupid then? | |
| Well this is how it is... do you want to see upstairs? | |
| Congratulations... But is Pogo a pet's name? | |